Tolerance is the buzzword of the day. We are told that we must tolerate the ideas, words, and actions of each and every segment of society. We may not pass judgment on the character of other people, but must accept them the way they are. What our elected officials do in their private lives must not influence our view of their qualifications for public office. We must accept the lifestyle of homosexuals as (viable!) alternatives to ours. We must cater to the whims and wishes of the feminists. We must not speak of God, lest we anger the atheists.

This attitude of tolerance is found even in the church world today. Many people, claiming to be Christian, will be quick to remind us of Jesus’ words that we must not judge (Matt. 7:1) and that we may not cast a stone because we are no better than the other person (John. 8:7). This attitude has wreaked havoc in the Christian church, including churches that are Reformed in their heritage. Heresy is no longer denounced, and heretics are no longer disciplined. The foundational teaching of Christianity — that Jesus Christ, the Son of God who came in the flesh, is our only and complete Savior — is denied. We are told to tolerate the religious thinking of non-Christians, because every religion has an element of truth to it, and because salvation is not exclusively for Christians. We must also tolerate in our churches the sinful actions of others. It is not our business if an unmarried couple lives together! It is none of our business if a member of our congregation practices homosexuality! We must not judge them.

I think this beginning of the introduction to Doug Kuiper's article, our Article of the Month for June, speaks volumes. Of course, the author doesn't believe that "tolerance" is to be taken to the extent it exists as stated above, which should be obvious from the article's title. The author provides a biblical antidote to this unbiblical view which I am sure will be most welcomed by those who have been berated by those who accuse those discerning individuals, those who love holiness and purity of doctrine and life and who speak out against those who deviate from it and who try to justify such things because we are to 'love one another', especially the brethren.